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Draft  | Rankings  | 4/1/2020

2020 MLB Draft: Top 10 Middle IF

Brian Sakowski      Vincent Cervino      Nate Schweers     
Photo: Justin Foscue (Austin Perryman/Mississippi State Athletics)

2020 MLB Draft: Top 400 Prospects | Top 10 RHP | Top 10 LHP | Top 10 OF | Top 10 CIF

Our latest edition of the Top 10 series following our most recent top prospect list for the 2020 MLB Draft, where the future position of those listed isn't necessarily where they are now, but where we're projecting them to be drafted. On the college side, there's a nice mix of offensive-minded, likely-second basemen (Nick Gonzales and Justin Foscue) combined with higher-level defenders at the shortstop position (Alika Williams, Anthony Servideo and Freddy Zamora) as well as several more well-rounded shortstops, though this college class lacks a true all-around impact shortstop. On the prep side, long-time highly ranked prospect Ed Howard leads the way and may be the best true shortstop prospect in the class while late riser Carson Tucker could also be a first rounder. 

To view where the top 10 college and top 10 high school middle infielders rank overall, please click on the Top 400 Prospects link above for PG's full draft board.


Top 10 College Middle Infielders

Rk. Player School Hometown ST
1 Nick Gonzales New Mexico State Vail AZ
2 Nick Loftin Baylor Corpus Christi TX
3 Jordan Westburg Mississippi State New Braunfels TX
4 Justin Foscue Mississippi State Huntsville AL
5 Alika Williams Arizona State San Diego CA
6 Anthony Servideo Mississippi Jupiter FL
7 Freddy Zamora Miami Miami FL
8 Casey Martin Arkansas Lonoke AR
9 Jack Blomgren Michigan Milton WI
10 Luke Waddell Georgia Tech Loveland OH

Nick Gonzales
Scout Take: One of the premier offensive performers in college baseball in this generation, Gonzales was hitting .448/.610/1.155 at the time of the shutdown, with 12 homers already and over a 2:1 BB:K ratio. He's dinged a bit for playing in extremely favorable hitting conditions at home as well as a lack of high-end competition, but he smashed on the Cape and some scouts evoke Keston Hiura comparisons here. 

PG History: A seven-time All-Tournament Team selection, Gonzales attended 11 events on the PG circuit during his prep career. Gonzales impressed two years in a row at the West MLK Championship and rounded out his PG career with a standout performance in Tucson at the Southwest Super25 Qualifier.

Nick Loftin
Scout Take: Loftin has a nice, well-rounded profile that had him high on draft boards heading into the 2020 season, but as he's shown more raw and game power, his profile has increased. He's a solid defensive shortstop who should be solid average there long-term and has a long track record of hitting at a high level with very good contact skills. With more power, he's trending into the first round. 

PG History: An All-Texas Region second-team selection in 2017, Loftin was named to the All-Tournament Team at half the events he attended during his PG career. Loftin performed at many marquee events in his career, earning All-Tournament Team honors at the loaded 17u BCS Finals in 2015.

Jordan Westburg
Scout Take: Perhaps one of the more tooled-up players in the class, scouts have been high on Westburg's upside dating back to his prep days. With plus run and arm tools along with plus athleticism, some believe Westburg can stick at shortstop long-term and his raw power from the right side is prodigious. If he hits, he has the makings of a potential star. 

PG History: Westburg was a staple at Texas PG Tournaments with the South Texas Sliders, earning All-Tournament Team honors at the 2015 WWBA South Qualifier. A Texas All-Region First Team selection in 2017, Westburg finished ranked as the No. 20 player in Texas’ loaded 2017 class.

Justin Foscue
Scout Take: One of the best pure bats in college baseball, Mississippi State had quite the duo up the middle with Foscue and Jordan Westburg. Foscue's profile is built around his elite bat-to-ball skills, earning him plus hit tool projections to go along with solid power. He's a second baseman long term, but can handle the spot, and projects to be an impact hitter, even if the power projection isn't plus. 

PG History: Foscue was well-decorated during his time on the PG circuit, earning Top Prospect List honors at the 2014 Southeast Underclass Showcase and making seven All-Tournament teams during his tournament career. Foscue was a two-time Honorable Mention Underclass All-American by PG and Rawlings as well.

Alika Williams
Scout Take: One of the more talented defenders at the shortstop position, Williams is a near sure bet to stick there long term, with some giving plus grades on his defensive abilities. He doesn't have much in the way of power at the plate, but has a long history of making lots of contact while limiting his strikeouts. With a glove-first profile and a solid hit tool as well, Williams has potential everyday upside long term. 

PG History: A 32nd round selection by the Yankees in the 2017 MLB Draft, Williams most notably earned All-Tournament Team honors at the 2016 WWBA World Championship in Jupiter playing with the Indians Scout Team. Williams earned First-Team All-Region honors in California ahead of the 2017 season and finished ranked as the No. 219 player in the 2017 class.

Anthony Servideo
Scout Take: Playing mostly second base in deference to '19 second rounder Grae Kessinger prior to this year, Servideo may go just as highly as his fellow Rebel, now playing shortstop himself. Always known as a high-level defender, Servideo now seems a sure bet to stick at short long term and he's noticeably added strength to his frame, allowing him to impact the ball more from the left side, which has led to a direct increase in his draft stock. 

PG History: Servideo first attended a PG showcase in late-2014, arriving the National Underclass Showcase-Main Event in Fort Myers. After All-Tournament Team performances at a pair of marquee events in 2015, Servideo attended the 2016 National Showcase at JetBlue Ballpark. Servideo ran a 6.75 60-yard dash and earned a 9.5 PG Grade at the event.

Freddy Zamora
Scout Take: Zamora suffered a knee injury just before the season and was set to miss the entire season anyways prior to the pandemic and subsequent shutdown. Zamora started every game at short in 2019 and was slated to do the same in 2020, where scouts expected to see an uptick in power. His always hit and has controlled his strikeouts, but with more power coming, he had a chance to sneak into the first round. He's still likely a top 3 round pick. 

PG History: After having only attended events on the PG Tournament circuits, Zamora arrived at the 2014 National Underclass Showcase-Main Event and posted a PG Grade of 9.5. Zamora then arrived at the 2016 National Showcase, earning a PG Grade 10 to go along with being selected to the Showcase Top Prospect Team and Top Prospect List.

Casey Martin
Scout Take: A righthanded hitter with two very loud tools in his raw power and speed, Martin burst onto the scene when he OPS'd .974 as a freshman and followed it up with a 15-homer season a year ago. He's got loud tools, but he doesn't seem to be a shortstop long term – possibly center field where he might profile best – and though he's got raw power, there's a long history of high strikeout totals. There's obvious upside here, though the swing-and-miss and positional concerns limit that. 

PG History: A three-time All-Tournament Team selection, Martin really impressed at a string of events in 2015 and 2016. Martin earned his ATT honors at three straight events: the 2015 17u PG/East Cobb Invitational, WWBA Underclass World Championship, and the 2016 17u PG/East Cobb Invitational. Martin finished ranked as the No. 4 player in Arkansas’ 2017 class.

Jack Blomgren
Scout Take: A Michigan fan favorite, Blomgren seems to be right on the borderline of a top 5 rounder, especially in a year where the draft might only go five rounds. A quality defender with an above average arm, Blomgren doesn't really have a plus tool, though he does everything pretty well and plays as hard as anyone in baseball. He'll be one of the more interesting case studies this year in particular, especially if the draft is shortened to five rounds. 

PG History: A four-time All-Tournament Team selection, Blomgren impressed on both the national and regional stage. Blomgren turned heads at both the WWBA 17u National Championship and Kernels Foundation Championship in 2016 before earning All-Tournament Team honors at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter later that year. Blomgren also made a name on the PG Series circuit, representing the Midwest at the Series Classic in 2015.

Luke Waddell
Scout Take: A long-time performer, Waddell has always shown very good bat-to-ball skills and great feel for the game, though his overall toolset lacks a plus one. His contact skills stand out at a high level, and for his career he's walked more than he's struck out and has some defensive utility in a few spots. He also performed really well for the collegiate national team last summer, something teams weigh heavily when evaluating performance history. 

PG History: A 32nd-round selection of the Diamondbacks coming out of high school, Waddell attended PG events in both 2013 and 2015. Waddell earned All-Tournament Team honors at the 14u BCS Finals in 2013 and earned Rawlings Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2015. Waddell finished ranked as the 11th-ranked player in Ohio in 2017.


Top 10 High School Middle Infielders

Rk. Player School Hometown ST
1 Ed Howard Mount Carmel Lynwood IL
2 Carson Tucker Mountain Pointe Phoenix AZ
3 Yohandy Morales G. Holmes Braddock Miami FL
4 Drew Bowser Harvard-Westlake Encino CA
5 Samuel Infante Monsignor Edward Pace Hialeah FL
6 Milan Tolentino Santa Margarita Catholic Mission Viejo CA
7 Steven Ondina International Baseball Academy Gurabo PR
8 Cade Horton Norman Norman OK
9 Alex Freeland Mariner Cape Coral FL
10 Colby Halter Bishop Kenny Jacksonville FL

Ed Howard
Scout Take: The top prep shortstop in the draft, Howard offers a bevy of exciting tools coupled with immense athleticism and projection to make for one of the highest ceiling prospects in the draft. There's potential plus power at maturity with an advanced feel to hit and scouts will feel comfortable projecting him long term at shortstop given his actions and he possesses more than enough arm strength. 

PG History: A 2019 PG All-American, Howard has earned three All-Tournament Team selections in his PG career. The Illinois native earned a PG Grade of 10 at the National Showcase last June, earning Showcase Top Prospect Team honors as well. Howard was named a Rawlings First-Team Underclass All-American in 2019 and is currently ranked as the No. 6 player in the 2020 class.

Carson Tucker
Scout Take: One of the biggest risers in the class, Tucker is the younger brother of Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker. The younger Tucker has grown over the offseason and now offers significant tools across the board including a plus-plus run tool coupled with plus raw power projection. Tucker has always had a feel to hit to go along with big tools including the ability to stick at shortstop. 

PG History: After impressing along the PG Tournament circuit for most of his prep career, Tucker shined at the 2018 PG Underclass All-American Games in 2018, earning a selection to both the Top Prospect List and Top Prospect Team. Just 10 months later, Tucker earned a PG Grade 10 at the National Showcase at Chase Field and again was named to the Top Prospect Team for the event.

Yohandy Morales
Scout Take: Morales' calling card is his power which is prodigious as he could potentially possess double-plus raw power at maturity. The frame indicates that he's going to be able to add massive amounts of strength to go along with already above average bat speed. There's some risk of moving off shortstop, but Morales is one of the premier sources of righthanded power in this year's prep class. 

PG History: A 2019 PG All-American, Morales has long impressed along the PG circuit. After years of impressing at tournaments, Morales shined at the 2018 Jr. National Showcase, earning both Top Prospect List and Top Prospect Team honors. Morales also shined at the National Showcase last June and has earned seven All-Tournament Team selections to go along with his trip to the Classic.

Drew Bowser
Scout Take: Bowser is similar to Morales in that he's one of the best sources of prep righthanded power in this year's draft. He's an athletic, wiry righthanded hitter with plus bat speed and massive power projection. Bowser has been seen a lot over the years as he and Pete Crow-Armstrong are one of the best duos in high school ball and Bowser's power track record is notable. 

PG History: Bowser has had a decorated PG career and was the star of the show at the PG All-American Classic last August. Bowser took home MVP honors, winning the HR Challenge and raising the most money for Rady Children’s Hospital. Bowser also earned Top Prospect Team honors at the National Showcase last June at Chase Field.

Samuel Infante
Scout Take: South Florida shortstops always go well, and Infante, along with Morales, are next in line as guys who could be potential day one picks. Infante is a twitchy athlete up the middle with excellent hands and has a good chance to stick at shortstop to go along with a clean, simple line drive stroke and potential solid average power long term. There's significant projection, but the upside is clearly there.

PG History: Infante had a strong 2019, earning Top Prospect Team honors at the 2019 National Showcase and earning All-Tournament Team honors at the WWBA 17u National Championship. In total, Infante has earned seven All-Tournament Team selections and was a Tournament All-American in 2016.

Milan Tolentino
Scout Take: A polished, athletic shortstop, Tolentino reminds some scouts of former first round pick Brice Turang from a couple of years ago. A smooth lefthanded stroke, solid average run tool and soft hands up the middle are all positives for Tolentino who was all over the national circuit last summer. He was beginning to tap into some power early in the spring before the cancellation and he's a safe bet to provide defensive value with a solid hit tool. 

PG History: A 2019 PG All-American, Tolentino has really jumped onto draft boards since impressing at the PG Underclass All-American Games in 2018. The UCLA signee earned a PG Grade of 10 and was named to both the Top Prospect List and Top Prospect Team for the event. Tolentino continued his strong play at the National Showcase, finding his way onto the Top Prospect Team and finishing his PG career in San Diego at the All-American Classic.

Steven Ondina
Scout Take: Ondina is only 5-foot-8 but he packs a punch as one of the toolsiest prospects in the class. He's a plus athlete with high upside defensive skills and a certifiable hand cannon from shortstop that leads to very little risk of moving off the position. There's feel for contact with a line drive stroke as the tools overall offset the lack of size and power. 

PG History: Ondina has attended 30 events in his PG career, most recently earning All-Tournament Team honors at the 2020 PG HS Showdown-Academies Division in Hoover. The Puerto Rico native has earned eight All-Tournament Team honors to go along with Top Prospect List selection at showcases such as the Jr. National Showcase, 14u National Showcase and National Underclass Showcase-Main Event.

Cade Horton
Scout Take: Horton is a terrific athlete and one of the top two-way prospects in this year's class. He's a quick-twitch athlete over at short where he has a howitzer of an arm that has no issue of projection on the left side. The swing has plus bat speed and significant raw power while he'll work up to 95 mph with a solid breaking ball on the mound with significant upside. 

PG History: A 2019 PG All-American, Horton has attended 17 events in his PG career. A two-time Jr. National Showcase participant, Horton has earned two All-Tournament Team selections and also participated in the Underclass All-American Games in both 2017 and 2018. Horton earned a PG Grade of 10 at the National Showcase last June while also earning Top Prospect Team honors at the event.

Alex Freeland
Scout Take: Freeland is a pure hitter and what carries his profile long term is the ability to demonstrate the hit tool on both sides of the plate. There's present raw power, a bit better from the left side, to go along with excellent body control and athleticism defensively. He'll stick in the dirt and his innate barrel feel and ability to manipulate the swing stand out in a significant way for a prep bat. 

PG History: Freeland is one of the few players on this list to participate at both the 2016 14u PG Select Festival as well as the PG All-American Classic before his senior year. The UCF signee has participated in 55 PG events in his career and has been named to the All-Tournament Team at 22 of those events. Freeland has been named to a Top Prospect Team/List on 12 occasions and was a 2016 Tournament All-American.

Colby Halter
Scout Take: Halter was an arrow-up guy last fall as the lefthanded hitting shortstop offers a significant hit tool from the position. The Jacksonville native possesses plus bat speed with a very good feel for driving the ball and offers some projection to the raw power. He'll stick on the left side of the infield but the maturity of the hit tool and approach lead the profile overall. 

PG History: An alum of the 2016 14u PG Select Festival, Halter most recently competed at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter. Halter was selected to the National Showcase in June, earning a PG Grade of 10 while being named to the Top Prospect Team. Halter has made nine All-Tournament Teams in his career and was a Tournament All-American in 2018.


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